His name may ring a bell because of his acting credits, but Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is also accomplished at striking another note—with his musical composition.
The actor’s violin sonata will be part of a benefit performance for the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, which will also feature a violin sonata by his father, violinist Efrem Zimbalist, Sr.
The concert came about when freelance Central Coast violinist and Lompoc Pops concertmistress Diane Siminski met the younger Zimbalist through a mutual friend. Siminski contacted Zimbalist to see if it would be possible to perform one of his father’s works. During the discussion, Siminski discovered that Zimbalist, Jr. had also composed a sonata for violin and piano.
“He briefly mentioned he had written a sonata in the same key as his father’s, and I said I would love to see it, I would love to play it,” Siminski said.
Zimbalist, Jr. agreed to allow Siminski to perform the sonatas at an upcoming concert.
The younger Zimbalist is both an actor and producer and is most widely known for his starring role in The F.B.I., which ran from 1965 to 1974. He’s also appeared in leading and supporting roles in several feature films, including Harlow, A Fever in the Blood, Wait Until Dark, and Airport 1875. In 1989, Zimbalist played the father of Zorro in the remake The New Zorro. He also had a recurring role in the 1980s series Remington Steele, as well as the 1990s science fiction TV series Babylon 5.
Siminski will open with the first movement of Zimbalist, Sr.’s sonata and then will perform the second movement of Zimbalist, Jr.’s violin sonata. Sharon Cooper, concertmistress of the Santa Maria Philharmonic, will perform the third movement of Zimbalist, Jr.’s sonata.
Both sonatas vary in style and mood. Zimbalist, Sr.’s work is in the style of the Romantics like Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, Siminski said, while Zimbalist, Jr.’s composition follows the modern stylings of the likes of Bart€k, Prokofiev, and Aaron Copeland.
“Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.’s second movement is quite meditative and somber, while his father’s is masculine and demanding, and it’s powerful and quite physical,” Siminski said.
The musical program will also feature works by Dvor?k and Richard Rodgers.
Other musicians performing include pianist Brigette Hough, violists Jed Beebe and Tom Turner, and cellist Tracy Sparks.
Siminski has established herself as a versatile musician in Lompoc. She played a lead role in the establishment of the Lompoc Pops and has been largely responsible for several performances by the Santa Maria Symphony in Lompoc in the early 1970s. She has performed with many Central Coast symphonies, as well as the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera and PCPA Pit Orchestra.
Siminski expressed her excitement at performing the sonatas and allowing an audience to experience the Zimbalists’ musical talent.
“I am so happy to give the language of this actor, he just has so much to say,” she said.
INFO BOX: Take note
The Premiere Benefit Performance will take place at 2 p.m. July 12, at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, in Santa Maria. Tickets cost $20 per person. Immediately following the concert, a private reception with Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. will be held at Testa’s Bistro at 113 S. College Ave. Tickets to the reception cost $100 per person. For more information, call 925-0412 or 736-9365.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone has a lot to say, too. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 10-17, 2008.